AMERICA’S TROTTING CLASSIC

Hambo Insert.indd 1 7/16/20 11:51 AM

STEADFAST LEADERSHIP cast of thousands has contributed to write the his- Atory of the Hambletonian. While a small group of trotting horse breeders conceived of the Hambletonian and got it launched in 1926, moving forward has required the support of breeders, owners and trainers of the thousands of horses nominated to the 95 editions of the race. Over almost a century, one of the keys to the Hambleto- nian’s success has been the dedication of a small group of sportsmen who made the grand trotting race a high ideal. An important development in 1925 was the formation of The Hambletonian Society. The Society continues to own and operate the Hambletonian and over the years its mem- bers have never wavered in the support needed to keep the race vibrant. The 95th Hambletonian will mark the 40th edition of the in Du Quoin, Ill., and when the time of year for the Ham- race held at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J. The bletonian came around, fields of corn served as an appro- race moved there in 1981 after a persuasive proposal from priate backdrop for the race held at a state fair. The warm the operator of the Meadowlands at the time, the New Jer- hospitality of the Hayes family, which owned the fair at the sey Sports and Exposition Authority. The pitch to bring the time, was only exceeded by the heat and humidity of late Hambletonian to New Jersey was supported by influential summer in southern Illinois. horsemen and and the New Many questioned if racing the Hambletonian in the Jersey governor, Brendan Byrne. shadow of New York City would work. But as promised by In the tradition of leadership set by those before him, to- its pitch, the Meadowlands was up to the task, creating a day Jeff Gural, a passionate breeder and racehorse owner, fair atmosphere in Paddock Park and at the same time of- operates the Meadowlands and continues to present the fering air-conditioned comfort and fine dining inside the Hambletonian with a mix of the race’s fair roots and so- five-story grandstand building. phistication, all while one can look out over the track and One constant since 1939, wherever the race has been see the Manhattan skyline. held, is the large Revere bowl that serves as the Hamble- Weather, the Great Depression, World War II, and now tonian trophy. Over the years the Hambletonian trophy in 2020 a worldwide viral pandemic have threatened the has been presented by governors and celebrities to owners Hambletonian and become part of its history. from all over the United States, Canada and even Europe. The race’s first host, the New York State Fair in Syracuse, The unique silver trophy was originally permitted to did not have an all-weather track, so when it rained day travel with the winning owner. That added to Hambleto- after day in late August 1927, and again in 1929, the clay nian lore as some owners threw celebratory parties and racing surface became a quagmire and the race had to be permitted their guests to drink champagne from the bowl. postponed and moved to Lexington, Ky. Today the Revere bowl stays on display at the Mead- The Hambletonian’s years at Good Time Park in Goshen, owlands until Hambletonian Day, except for a few special N.Y., spanned World War II. The first Hambletonian con- appearances, such as a photo shoot with winning trainer tested at Good Time Park took place in 1930 and the track’s holding it aloft in his swimming pool after owner, Bill Cane, quickly became known for his promo- winning with Trixton, and on more than one occasion a tional zeal. In 1943, however, there was nothing Cane could baby being held while standing inside the bowl at a press do about wartime travel restrictions so reluctantly the race conference. was moved to the Empire City track near And on many a hot summer August afternoon in New New York City—now Yonkers Raceway. Jersey, the winning horse has taken a well-earned drink Three months to the day after Germany surrendered to from the Revere bowl, which may be the most elegant water end World War II, Titan Hanover won the Hambletonian bucket a horse could have. Winners receive at Good Time Park. His owner E. Roland Harriman was replicas of the trophy, a gleaming memory proudly in the winner’s circle but his nephew and partner of their victory in one of America’s longest on the colt, Elbridge Gerry, was away serving his country. and greatest sporting traditions. The Hambletonian was moved to the Du Quoin State Fair

Hambo Insert.indd 3 7/16/20 11:51 AM RENO

BAUER

arry Reno was a man full of en- “I propose we call it the Hambletonian Hthusiasm and ideas. He had never Stake,” Bauer said. “The trotting breeding owned a trotter or pacer himself, but he today is a Hambletonian breed. There is knew something about the sport of harness no other name in the trotting world that racing through his brother-in-law, noted means so much.” breeder Warren M. Wright. Bauer was right. The coarse bay stallion Reno believed needed big- Hambletonian, who was owned by Wil- HERVEY ger jackpots on the stakes schedule to com- liam M. Rysdyk, had come into the world mand the attention of the sporting public. in 1849 when there really was no specific America was experiencing economic pros- trotting breed—just a patchwork quilt of perity after the Great War and Reno felt the horses which showed some ability to trot. sport needed to create a few bonanzas. When the offspring of Hambletonian began Reno envisioned a race for 3-year-old to race in the 1850s and ’60s, the rival male trotters with a guaranteed purse of at least lines were soon swept into oblivion. They $50,000, perhaps even more. One day in simply could not compete with the descen- 1923 Reno was in the downtown Chicago dents of Hambletonian, who spent offices of The Horse Review, then the lead- his entire life in ing harness journal. Publisher John Bauer Orange Coun- and noted writers Joseph Markey and John ty, N.Y., about an Hervey were helping Reno with his propos- hour’s drive from al. They had examined every aspect of how New York City. THE BIRTH OF A CLASSIC A OF BIRTH THE they could make this stake into the biggest Hambletonian in the sport, a race that would attract na- was never raced, tional attention, serve as a proving ground although he was ex- for the best horses in America, and stimu- hibited on the trot late breeding. and showed speed When seemingly all the details were re- and gait. The success solved, Bauer met with Markey, Hervey of his offspring in- and Reno and asked what the race should creased the demand be called. Several names were suggested for his breeding ser- but quicky discarded. Hanging above Bau- vices and he ultimately er’s desk was a portrait of the great stallion sired more than 1,000 Hambletonian by artist Robert Dickey. It foals. MARKEY served as an inspiration for Bauer.

Hambo Insert.indd 4 7/16/20 11:51 AM been a steady patron of the sport, It cost $960 to start a horse in the immediately upon learning of this Hambletonian, with the final entry big event, I purchased six addition- fee $500. Interest in the race exceeded al yearlings with a view of entering expectations as 626 nominations were them in it,” noted Wright. “The gen- received. tleman whose colt or filly wins the One other detail had to be deter- Hambletonian will have every reason mined before the inaugural race. to feel proud, and I am going to make Where would it be held? Many locales every effort to be that party.” were considered based on their abil- Wright eventually won the Ham- ity to draw and accommodate a large bletonian, al- crowd. though oth- Bids were accepted from prospective er owners hosts, a tradition that has continued purchased even throughout the history of the Ham- more horses in bletonian. Three bids were opened on their attempts New Year’s Day 1926, and Joe Markey to win the in- announced that Syracuse, the home of augural edition. the New York State Fair, had been cho- By 1900, the Hambletonian line When Walter sen. Kalamazoo, Mich., and Atlanta, dominated trotting with only a Candler of At- Ga., were the other bidders. Syracuse few vestiges of the other male lines. lanta, Ga., heard was awarded the Hambletonian after These rival lines were ultimately ex- about the new offering to pay $8,000 for the privilege tinguished by the superiority of the race for trotters, of hosting the race, with the “hosting Hambletonian offspring. he purchased all fee” added to the purse of the race. Now that the race had a name, of the available From its inception in 1926, the would it have the support of the yearlings—19 Hambletonian has remained the most people in the sport? total—by the coveted prize in harness racing. Reno reviewed his concept with a leading trotting variety of people in the sport. sire Peter The “Their enthusiasm and optimism Great. quite overwhelmed me, and I con- A managing fess that I have a pretty fair brand of committee was it of my own,” Reno said. “The point formed to han- is that we must try new things for dle the myriad the advancement of our sport, and of details involv- while I have a lot of ideas which I ing the Hamble- believe would improve conditions, tonian. By 1925 I think that the foremost aim at that committee this time should be to stimulate had evolved into breeding by giving our foals more The Hamble- money to race for.” tonian Society, The cost to nominate a colt or an organization filly to the Hambletonian was $10, a which continues to manage the race. substantial amount at a time when The Hambletonian was promoted the sport’s best yearlings seldom with advertisements in various trot- brought bids of more than $1,000. ting journals and in one published in Hambletonian horse monument, Warren M. Wright of Chicago, late March, 1924, the race’s “financial Chester, N.Y. founder of the Calumet Baking possibilities” were estimated to reach Powder company and later Calu- $74,000. To call that sum an educated met Farm in Kentucky, was one guess was charitable, but 29 months of the first supporters of the later when the first Hambletonian was Hambletonian. “While I have contested, the purse was $73,451.

Hambo Insert.indd 5 7/16/20 11:51 AM Rosalind (inside) winning at Good Time Park. AMERICAN SPIRIT AMERICAN THE AND HAMBLETONIAN HEROES FILLY ROSALIND PROVIDES ONE OF MANY TIMELESS STORIES ABOUT WINNERS By Kathy Parker & Ellen Harvey

s its creators intended, the Hambletonian race but it didn’t derail the young horseman who went on Aas a showcase for trotters became an instant to train five Hambletonian winners—Christopher T classic. By the time the Hambletonian was settled in at (1974), Steve Lobell (’76), Green Speed (’77), Burgo- Good Time Park in Goshen, N.Y., in the 1930s, the race meister (’80) and Speed Bowl (’82). had become a holy grail for everyone involved with , who competed in his first Hambleto- trotting horses. nian in 1953, also became a five-time winner, training The leading horsemen of the early days of the Ham- champions Egyptian Candor (’65), (’68), bletonian did their part to put the race on the sched- Super Bowl (’72), Bonefish (’75), and Duenna (’83). ule of the owners of top 3-year-old trotting stock. Es- Over two decades in the 1980s and ’90s, when driv- teemed horsemen such as Tom Berry, Fred Egan, Vic ing became a specialty and the phrase “catch-driving” Fleming, Sep Palin, Hugh Parshall, Henry Thomas and was rarely a part of harness racing’s vocabulary, John Ben White rarely missed a year of starting top colts Campbell drove six Hambletonian winners. Campbell, and fillies from their stables in the race. White, Palin who became a legend for his ability as a driver, cap- and Parshall collectively won five of the first 10 edi- tured the race with (1987) Armbro Goal tions of the race. White won five Hambletonians in the (’88), Harmonious (’90), Tagliabue (’95), Muscles Yan- race’s first 25 years, stretching his victories from 1927 kee (’98) and Glidemaster (2006). through 1943. While the Hambletonian is foremost a sporting com- The next generation of horsemen followed suit. In petition, a horse race, it has also become a tapestry of 1949, the last year White competed in the Hambleto- stories which richly show the American spirit. White, nian, 25-year-old Billy Haughton made his first appear- Haughton, Dancer and Campbell each had one single ance in the race. His horse failed to finish the first heat, victory which stands out for being about so much more PIONEERS, DOMINATION DOMINATION PIONEERS,

Hambo Insert.indd 6 7/16/20 11:51 AM than winning a horse race. a heart-warming story couldn’t fill a fellow in the Campbell’s victory with Tagliabue stomach, it nourished the soul. world. I have a put two brothers together in the Ham- Rosalind was bred by White. She great filly and a bletonian winner’s circle as John’s was a daughter of the sire Scotland, g re at d a d .” brother Jim trained the colt. Danc- who White had driven to a third- The story of er’s unexpected 1983 triumph with place finish in the 1928 Hambleto- a young boy Duenna came following the death nian. White’s young son Gibson had and a cham- of his top prospect for the race, the contracted tuberculosis, one of the pion filly was colt Dancer’s Crown. And few who most dreaded diseases of the time. timeless and in were at Du Quoin, Ill., for the 1980 The Whites lived in Lexington, Ky., 1950 it became Hambletonian will forget Haughton but young Gib was sent to other lo- captured for somberly sitting in the sulky as Bur- cales where the weather could possi- eternity. gomeister crossed the wire first. The bly help him recuperate. To take the Writer Mar- colt had been trained and owned by youngster’s mind offhis illness, the guerite Hen- Haughton’s late son Peter, who earlier father gave the son the filly. ry had won that year had died at age 25 after a car Gib White was healthy enough to a Newbery accident. be one of the reported 45,000 peo- award, the Pu- An everlasting Hambletonian story ple at Good Time Park for the 1936 litzer of children’s literature, and was of the American spirit came thanks Hambletonian and he got to see his at the peak of her career when her to the filly Rosalind. By 1936, Ben filly win the race. 16th book, Born To Trot, was pub- White had won two Hambletonians, As Ben White jogged Rosalind lished in 1950. That book, chroni- with Iosola’s Worthy (1927) and back to the Hambletonian winner’s cling the life of Rosalind and Gibson Mary Reynolds (1933). In ‘36, the circle after winning the second and White, is still in print, 70 years later. United States was still in the throes final heat, his reed-thin teenage son Though elements are created to sup- of the Great Depression, which had stepped forward and wrapped his port the narrative, they’re all based in ensued following the stock market long arms around his father’s neck. fact. HAMBLETONIAN HEROES crash in 1929. The nation was living When asked for his thoughts, young As a teenager, Gib White dutifully on little more than hope and while Gib said, “I guess I am the happiest jogged his pony, dreaming of the day FILLY ROSALIND PROVIDES ONE OF MANY TIMELESS he’d go the fast way around the track By Kathy Parker & Ellen Harvey with a racehorse. Diagnosed with STORIES ABOUT WINNERS ROSALIND AND GIB WHITE tuberculosis in 1931, then a disease with no cure and only a “rest” treat- ment, he spent the next five years at St. Mary’s Sanitarium in Tucson, Ariz. On May 7, 1933, his visiting father, hoping to boost his son’s spirits, gave him a filly, a two-day-old daughter of Scotland and Alma Lee. Gib said the bright bay filly had ears, “about as high as your heart.” Recalling the description of the her- oine in Shakespeare’s, As You Like It, as, “Just as high as my heart,” Gib named her Rosalind. Gib’s days revolved around letters about Rosalind. “She bunts the dai- sies with her nose and nicks the cloud with her heels,” Henry wrote. As training progresses, so does the de- tail of her development: “Your filly punches her legs up and out until the rhythm

Hambo Insert.indd 7 7/16/20 11:51 AM ager, came home an adult. He soon introduced himself to a horse he’d thought about nearly every day of her life. “He had no oats to offer, no sugar,” wrote Henry. “He wanted no cupboard love from Rosalind. He wanted her only to accept him…to go on about her business aware of him but not wary.” Rosalind indeed went about her business, win- ning nearly every race leading up to the Hamble- tonian. Aug. 12, 1936, dawned and 40,000 people streamed to Goshen, N.Y., to witness the last minutes of Gib White’s three-year-long dream. Watching from the grandstand roof as he spotted for radio announcer Clem McCarthy, White saw Rosalind endure four recalls. When the race fi- nally got underway, she was soon in command, and Ben White was looking back for challengers when he crossed the wire. The field had a clear shot at the filly in the sec- ond heat, “lines flapping, drivers shouting,” writes kind of takes your breath.” Henry; “Only Rosalind’s driver sitting tight, let- Henry intersperses ting his horse alone, letting her do it herself.” the trail of Rosalind’s So it hadn’t been just a dream. The Shakespear- training through a ean heroine played a new role, this one in a fairy nearly hundred-year- tale. Rosalind had won the Hambletonian, her old book she creates as long black tail streaking past her driver’s shoul- a gift from Gib’s physi- der down the stretch. Gibson White had become cian to tell the story of a successful trainer. the filly’s ancestor, Rys- Rosalind shadowed Greyhound in late 1930s dyk’s Hambletonian, competition and then became a broodmare. She the common forefather had six foals, all fillies, but none to match the ac- of all . complishments of their mother. She died at Ha- Gib’s imagination takes nover Shoe Farm on Oct. 26, 1950, and is buried flight, and he believes there. his filly, whose May 5 birthday is shared with To purchase Born To Trot and to learn more about Hambletonian, can win Rosalind, visit the Harness Racing Museum, 240 the race named for him. Main Street, Goshen, N.Y. (845) 294-6330. “Every letter brought a dosage of strength with it,” Henry wrote, though the elder White’s letters carried a common cau- tion of horse trainers. “Rosalind and I are starting out on the Grand Circuit,” as Henry described it; “Nobody very high on her now but her owner and trainer.” Their optimism was justified. Though Rosalind raced when fillies competed with colts and every race was a contest of heats, she won six of 10 starts at two, second in those she did not win. In April 1936, Gib, who left his family a teen- Hambletonian trophy won by Rosalind

Hambo Insert.indd 8 7/16/20 11:51 AM THE EARLY YEARS

It was appropriate that the very first Hambletonian was held in New York as the race’s namesake had lived his entire life in New York. The race was held in Syracuse in 1926 but in 1927 persistent rains forced a move to Lexington, Ky. The race moved back to Syracuse in 1928 and then back to Lexington again in 1929 before moving to Bill Cane’s Good Time Park in Goshen, N.Y. THE WINNERS 1926-Guy McKinney 1942-The Ambassador 1927-Iosola’s Worthy* 1943-Volo Song 1928-Spencer 1944-Yankee Maid* 1929-Walter Dear 1945-Titan Hanover 1930-Hanover’s Bertha* 1946-Chestertown 1931-Calumet Butler 1947-Hoot Mon 1932-The Marchioness* 1948-Demon Hanover 1933-Mary Reynolds* 1949-Miss Tilly* 1934-Lord Jim 1950-Lusty Song 1935-Greyhound 1951-Mainliner 1936-Rosalind* 1952-Sharp Note 1937-Shirley Hanover* 1953-Helicopter* 1938-McLin 1954-Newport Dream 1939-Peter Astra 1955-Scott Frost 1940-Spencer Scott 1956-The Intruder The presentation of the 1926 trophy to winning trainer-driver 1941-Bill Gallon *filly Nat Ray (left).

Hambo Insert.indd 9 7/16/20 11:51 AM THE DU QUOIN DAYS

he Hayes family of Du Quoin, Ill., won the 1950 Hambletonian with Lusty Song, fulfilling a family dream that Twent much bigger than winning the race. In the 1940s, W.R. Hayes built a one-mile racing oval in the small town of Du Quoin, located closer to St. Louis, Mo., than Chicago. Hayes was intent on bringing Grand Circuit racing to southern Illinois. With a one-mile track, as required by the Hambletonian conditions, the Hayes family bid for and won the rights to stage the Hambletonian, playing host to their first in 1957. The Hambletonian became a crown jewel of the Midwestern state fair circuit and the gracious hospitality of the Hayes family created an atmosphere that endeared the Du Quoin State Fair to all. THE WINNERS 1957-Hickory Smoke 1965-Egyptian Candor 1973-Flirth 1958-Emily’s Pride* 1966-Kerry Way* 1974-Christopher T 1959-Diller Hanover 1967-Speedy Streak 1975-Bonefish 1960-Blaze Hanover 1968-Nevele Pride 1976-Steve Lobell 1961-Harlan Dean 1969-Lindy’s Pride 1977-Green Speed 1962-AC’s Viking 1970-Timothy T 1978-Speedy Somolli 1963-Speedy Scot 1971-Speedy Crown 1979-Legend Hanover 1964-Ayres 1972-Super Bowl 1980-Burgomeister *filly

Hambo Insert.indd 10 7/16/20 11:51 AM TO MOVING THE MEADOWLANDS hen Roosevelt Raceway ushered in the era of night pari-mutuel racing in 1940, it revolutionized harness racing. WA similar revolution occurred in 1976 when the Meadowlands opened in New Jersey. Almost overnight, the Meadowlands became harness racing’s foremost racing facility. The track’s management quickly realized one thing was missing: the sport’s greatest track did not have the sport’s greatest race. Officials of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, operators of the Meadowlands for the state of New Jersey, wanted the Hambletonian and pre- sented an irresistible package of promotions and purse money, all within sight of the Manhattan skyline. After making its Meadowlands debut in 1981, the Hambletonian purse began climbing to levels previously unimaginable. The track became a mecca for trotting devotees from around the world, which continues into the 21st century with a modern grandstand which made its Hambletonian debut in 2014. THE WINNERS 1981-Shiaway St. Pat 1991-Giant Victory 2005-Vivid Photo 1982-Speed Bowl 1992-Alf Palema 2006-Glidemaster 1983-Duenna* 1993-American Winner 2007-Donato Hanover 1984-Historic Freight 1994-Victory Dream 2008-Deweycheatumnhowe 1985-Prakas 1995-Tagliabue 2009- 1986-Nuclear Kosmos 1996-Continentalvictory* 2010-Muscle Massive 1987-Mack Lobell 1997-Malabar Man 2011-Broad Bahn 1988-Armbro Goal 1998-Muscles Yankee 2012-Market Share 1989-Probe & Park Avenue Joe 1999-Self Possessed 2013-Royalty For Life 1990-Harmonious 2000-Yankee Paco 2014-Trixton 2001-Scarlet Knight 2015-Pinkman 2002-Chip Chip Hooray 2016-Marion Marauder 2003-Amigo Hall 2017-Perfect Spirit 2004-Windsong’s Legacy 2018-Atlanta* 2019-Forbidden Trade *filly

Hambo Insert.indd 11 7/16/20 11:51 AM TROTTING TRIPLE CROWN CHAMPIONS Year Horse Trainer Driver 1955 Scott Frost Joe O’Brien Joe O’Brien 1963 Speedy Scot Ralph Baldwin Ralph Baldwin 1964 Ayres John Simpson Sr. John Simpson Sr. 1968 Nevele Pride Stanley Dancer Stanley Dancer 1969 Lindy’s Pride Howard Beissinger Howard Beissinger 1972 Super Bowl Stanley Dancer Stanley Dancer 2004 Windsong’s Legacy Trond Smedshammer Trond Smedshammer 2006 Glidemaster John Campbell/George Brennan Blair Burgess 2016 Marion Marauder Scott Zeron Paula Wellwood

FOR THE CHASE AN ELITE ACCOMPLISHMENT he trotting Triple Crown consists of the Hambletonian, and . The oldest of Tthe three stakes is the Kentucky Futurity, which was first raced in 1893. The first Hambletonian was contest- ed in 1926, with the Yonkers Futurity (later called the Yonkers Trot) begun in 1955. The order of the races on the calendar is not always the same. The Triple Crown was won four times in the 1960s and in those four Triple Crown years, the Yonkers Futurity was contested first, followed by the Hambletonian and Kentucky Futurity. When Super Bowl won the Triple Crown in 1972, the Hambletonian was back as the first leg. A 32-year drought ensued before Windsong’s Legacy captured the Triple Crown in 2004. While the Hambletonian was raced first that year, because of construction at Yonkers Raceway the second-leg Yonkers Trot was contested not on that track’s half-mile oval, but on the one-mile track at in Chicago. Two years later the Yonkers Trot was raced as the third leg, and not until Nov. 25, and Glidemaster took home the trophy.

WINDSONG’S LEGACY Q: Windsong’s Legacy’s Triple Crown accomplish- ment erased a 32-year-drought. Your thoughts? Q: When you woke up the A: It’s very, very difficult to do. Being a trainer-driv- morning of the Hamble- er made it more special. All the previous times it had tonian elims, any inkling been won by a trainer-driver so it was special. It will Windsong’s Legacy had probably never be done again by a trainer-driver. I the ability to win the Triple remember specifically a couple days later that Stanley Crown? Dancer called me. He congratulated me and that was A: He already had won the a big deal to me. Goodtimes and the Stan- ley Dancer, so for sure I Q: What are the biggest obstacles to winning the Triple thought I had a horse that Crown? could win the Triple Crown A: There are a lot of challenges. You have to have a lot with the right kind of trips. of luck along the way. A lot of things can go wrong. A lot of things went right with him. I remember talking Q: Do you consider Wind- to John Campbell about how hard it is to win the Triple song’s Legacy’s Triple Crown with an asterisk because Crown. He tried to win the Triple Crown many times. He had Muscles Yankee and Mack Lobell, and they got

THE TROTTING TRIPLE CROWN TRIPLE TROTTING THE the Yonkers Trot that year was instead raced at the one-mile Hawthorne Race Course? beat in the Kentucky Futurity. It could have been bad A: I don’t think so. I don’t think it matters, he could for me in the Futurity because going up the backside it have raced and won at Yonkers. He wouldn’t have had didn’t look very promising as I was locked in. any problems there.

Hambo Insert.indd 12 7/16/20 11:51 AM GLIDEMASTER trotting winners who captured the Yonkers Trot as the third jewel. How hard was it for you to keep him sharp? Q: On July 29, the day of the A: I don’t know, I love things that are spread out like that. Hambletonian elims, any in- He was a good horse and it gave me more time. The Tri- kling Glidemaster had the abil- ple Crown of trotting is a real test, if you can survive that ity to win the Triple Crown four and be good for the 2 1/2 months, months later with the Nov. 25 although I did it in reverse order Yonkers Trot? and over four months. A: I always knew Glidemas- ter was a talented horse. I told MARION MARAUDER my second trainer back around February or March…that this Q: What were you thinking on the was the Real Desire of trotters. morning of the Hambletonian? He was a very, very precocious A: The Triple Crown at that point horse. wasn’t on the radar. The only race was the Hambletonian. It sounds Q: You had some late concerns kind of stupid, but it was one of before the Hambletonian? the only races I thought he was A: He had trouble coming into the Hambo elims because going to win. I always thought he he had a pus pocket in a foot and was lame a few days (and was going to win the Hambleto- ran a temperature of 103 and 104). We were touch and go nian and called friends and asked to make the elims, actually. We contemplated scratching them to go to the races, and I nev- him. He was second in his elim behind Mr. Pine Chip, er asked them before. I told them which was good considering the horrible week he had. they’d want to be there that day because I had an inkling it For the final the next week, in the old front paddock at was going to happen, but the Triple Crown was so far out. the Meadowlands that I loved, you could tell when a horse The (Kentucky) Futurity became a reality after winning is going to be good. He was so chilled and so good, and the Yonkers Trot. We had a point to prove at that point so warmed up so great. He had a crappy post (eight) and it the Futurity was going to be a sure thing to race in. Had he was all if John (Campbell) could work out a trip. not won the Yonkers Trot there was a pretty good chance Q: You also had concerns about the Kentucky Futurity? we would have not (supplemented to the Futurity). But af- A: He didn’t like The Red Mile. I actually thought he was ter he won it, at that point you’d be denying the horse a crappy in the Futurity, and so did John. He won in straight chance at history, and we would never do that. heats but the clay just stuck too much to him. I took off his Q: Marion Marauder won the Hambletonian elim by a back shoes to try and help him a little bit. half-length and then the same-day final by a nose over Q: Coming off a second in the final, any Southwind Frank. After winning the Yonkers Trot elim, hesitation to enter the Yonkers Trot? you won the final by a head. It was the same margin in the A: Losing never sits well with me so it was redeeming that Kentucky Futurity, so in all, Marion Marauder captured he won it. We were a $60,000 supplement, first time on a the Triple Crown by a neck. Too close for comfort? half, we were worried about his stallion career, so there A: Yes, it was (laughing). But that was him, having a nose were those things. for the wire. It was his style. You always like to win the big races by a lot but winning is the most important part. Q: Any issues coming into the Yonkers Trot, especially since John Campbell was injured and you had to line up Q: What was your biggest challenge in keeping Marion a new driver? Marauder sharp for the three races over the two-month A: I went to Georgie (driver George Brennan). He was period? a Yonkers guy. The horse was so self aware and he didn’t A: We never trained him very, very hard. It was mostly know the track and he tried to duck out the draw gate. distance training. He had a set routine and we kept him Watch the replay and you’ll see him do a right turn by on his routine and kept him happy. He stayed sound and the paddock the last time when he was first-over parked. those were the most important things. No fancy Georgie had to correct him and go back down inside. And training, no real secrets to it, just keep him he still broke the track record. happy, healthy and sound.

Q: Glidemaster is the only one of the nine Triple Crown

Hambo Insert.indd 13 7/16/20 11:51 AM DEWEYCHEATUMNHOWE—2008 Deweycheatmnhowe, well known as “Dewey,” was another trainer-driver winner of the WHERE ARE Hambletonian. trained and drove the colt and also co-owned him with several of his longtime friends and partners. Dewey was a two-time Horse of the Year runner-up (2007-2008) THEY NOW? and the first trotter to earn $3 million at ages two and three. He is By Bob “Hollywood” Heyden standing stud at Leatherstocking Equine in New York. MUSCLE HILL—2009 Muscle Hill became the first undefeat- SCARLET KNIGHT—2001 Scarlet Knight stands at stud at ed trotter to be voted Horse of the Year and he followed up his Skramsta Stuteri, 30 miles from Stockholm, Sweden, his home championship ways on the track by becoming the sport’s leading country since he was 2 years old. Stefan Melander purchased Scar- trotting sire. His offspring include Hambletonian winners Trixton let Knight as a yearling colt for just $17,000 at a sale in Pennsylva- (2014) and Marion Marauder (2016). He stands at stud at South- nia and then had him shipped to Sweden to be trained. wind Farm in New Jersey, where he is visited by trotting fans from around the world. CHIP CHIP HOORAY—2002 Chip Chip Hooray was the fourth Hambletonian winner for Chuck Sylvester, who had MUSCLE MASSIVE—2010 Muscle Massive gave trainer previously won the race with Mack Lobell, Park Avenue Joe and Jimmy Takter the second of his four Hambletonian victories. Muscles Yankee. After a stud career in Ohio, Chip Chip Hooray is Muscle Massive was retired to stud duty at Hanover Shoe Farms in now retired in Deleon Springs, Fla. Pennsylvania but today stands at Victory Hill Farms in Indiana. AMIGO HALL—2003 Amigo Hall was responsible for the BROAD BAHN—2011 Still owned by Leif Alber of Denmark, first of two Hambletonian titles in a four-year stretch for Canadian Broad Bahn stood at stud in Denmark this year after several sea- horseman Blair Burgess. He was retired to stud duty at Tara Hills sons in Sweden and even a short stint in New York. Farm in Ontario, then moved to Ohio for a stretch before return- MARKET SHARE—2012 Market Share is spending his re- ing to Canada. At the age of 20 in 2020, Amigo Hall continued to tirement days as a den mother to yearlings at Southwind Farms in breed a few mares. New Jersey. Market Share was gelded so he would be more suitable WINDSONG’S LEGACY—2004 Windsong’s Legacy victory for his role at Southwind. was a throwback to the trainer-driver days of the Hambletonian ROYALTY FOR LIFE—2013 Royalty For Life holds the dis- as his trainer, Trond Smedshammer, also steered him to victory. tinction of winning the last Hambletonian in front of the original Windsong’s Legacy was purchased by Perretti Farms for stallion Meadowlands grandstand. Following his racing career he was duty. The dam of Windsong’s Legacy, Yankee Windsong, died soon retired to stud duty at Tara Hills in Canada, where he still lives after giving birth to Windsong’s Legacy and tragically in 2008 her today. most famous son also passed away at the young age of seven from a pulmonary event while breeding. TRIXTON—2014 Trixton won over stablemate Nuncio in a thrilling stretch drive and gave Jimmy Takter a Hambletonian VIVID PHOTO—2005 Trond Smedshammer’s winning dou- driving victory. Trixton stands at stud at Deo Volente Farms in ble as a trainer-driver was repeated by Roger Hammer, who won New Jersey. with Vivid Photo. Vivid Photo finished his career with a healthy $3,273,387 in earnings to fund his retirement, which is spent at PINKMAN—2015 Pinkman gave Takter back-to-back Hammer’s farm in Bedford, Pa., turned out in a field with his Hambletonian victories. As a gelding, Pinkman continued racing buddy Avenue Of Dreams. through age seven in 2019, banking $2.8 million. He is retired from racing and living at the Ohio farm of co-owners Joyce and GLIDEMASTER—2006 Glidemaster’s Hambletonian victory Dick McClelland. marked the first time a breeder-owner had won both the Hambo and the Oaks as George Segal’s Brittany Farms celebrated both MARION MARAUDER—2016 Because of poor fertility, Glidemaster and the filly Passionate Glide. Glidemaster was re- Marion Marauder was not retired to stud duty. He is still racing tired to stud at age four under the management of Brittany Farms for trainers Paula Wellwood and Mike Keeling, now with more and currently stands at stud at Winbak Farms of Delaware. than $3 million in earnings. DONATO HANOVER—2007 Donato Hanover became the PERFECT SPIRIT—2017 Perfect Spirit won 2017 Hamble- 10th Hambletonian winner bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, which tonian via an historic and unprecedented disqualification of the was founded by Lawrence B. Sheppard and today is operated by winner What The Hill. Now six and still racing in Sweden with a his grandson, Russell Williams. Hanover-breds have captured the pair of Grade 1 victories, Perfect Spirit is the 11th Hambletonian Hambletonian over a span of 80 years, with the first Hanover-bred winner bred by Hanover Shoe Farms. winner in 1937 (Shirley Hanover) and the most recent Perfect ATLANTA—2018 Atlanta became the third filly to win a Spirit (2017). Appropriately, Donato Hanover was retired to stud Meadowlands Hambletonian, and the 14th overall in the history duty at Hanover where he sired five million-dollar winners. In of the classic event. Atlanta is still competing and in 2019 she set a 2019 Donato Hanover was purchased by Sweden’s Global Farm Meadowlands track record of 1:49.1. and continued his stallion career abroad. Earlier this year he near- ly died from a small intestine rotation, but made a full recovery. FORBIDDEN TRADE—2019 Forbidden Trade also returned to the races at age four. It is an unusual circumstance to have the last four Hambletonian winners all racing.

Hambo Insert.indd 14 7/16/20 11:51 AM INSERT_HamboSociety_Layout 1 7/16/2020 8:57 AM Page 1

ON THE GREATEST DAY IN HARNESS RACING $1.2 Million Hambletonian & $600,000 Streaming live on the Hambletonian Facebook page

Broadcast on Saturday, August 8, 2020 Tape delay 6-7 p.m. EDT Gates open: 10 AM First race: 12 NOON Elimination heats will race on Saturday, August 1

For Hambletonian and Breeders Crown merchandise visit our store at www.hambletonianshop.com For more information visit playmeadowlands.com or www.hambletonian.com Michael Lisa/Lisa Photo July22_Hanover-INSERT_Template 7/14/2020 4:08 PM Page 1

Shirley Hanover (1937) Bill Gallon (1941) Titan Hanover (1945) Demon Hanover (1948) Diller Hanover (1959)

Blaze Hanover (1960) Lindy’s Pride (1969) Legend Hanover (1979) Speed Bowl (1982) Donato Hanover (2007)

Perfect Spirit (2017) Michael Lisa/Lisa Photo

(717) 637-8931 | Fax (717) 637-6766 | hanoverpa.com | [email protected] ANDOVER HALL BAR HOPPING BETTING LINE CANTAB HALL CAPTAINTREACHEROUS GREENSHOE INTERNATIONAL MONI STAY HUNGRY